Friends & Neighbors,
Home Buyout Program Gets Committee Hearing
For the past three years, the Legislature has declined to take radioactive waste contamination in St. Louis County seriously. It took some time, but eventually I managed to have a committee hearing in the senate a couple of years ago. This year, only three weeks into session, Senate Bill 600, creating the Hazardous Waste Home Acquisition Program, went before a senate committee. Consistent and deliberate conversations have brought this issue to the Senate’s attention, and my colleagues are taking radioactive waste contamination more seriously today.
I am working to have my full legislation package heard. Senate Bill 601 expands the definition of occupational diseases to include post-traumatic stress disorder for the purpose of workers’ compensation. This will provide protection to first responders, and acknowledges radiation disability as a potential cause.
Much work has gone into getting to this point, but we cannot let up. Until our local, state and federal governments accept responsibility and take action, we will still have work to do.